Kapiʻolani Park - Walking Tour

Honolulu, Oʻahu, Hawaii

Kapiʻolani Park - Walking Tour

Discover the vibrant, complex, and deeply layered history of Waikīkī on a leisurely 1-mile stroll through historic Kapi‘olani Park. This isn't just an ordinary walk—it is a carefully curated, deeply educational journey from ancient Hawaiʻi to the present day, illuminating Oahu’s unique cultural landscapes.

What Makes This Tour Unique

  • A True Local Perspective: This is not a generic tour. Your Native Hawaiian guide’s roots run generations deep, offering a personal perspective rarely accessible to visitors.

  • Expert Storytelling: By weaving together family history, cultural knowledge, and meticulously researched archival facts, your guide brings a profound, authentic understanding to every feature of the park.

  • Archival Visuals: Throughout the walk, your guide will share historical images, bringing to life the profound changes that have shaped modern-day Hawaiʻi.

Route

The tour begins at Kaimana Beach Park (also known as San Souci), continues through Kapiʻolani Park, and ends at the front entrance to the Honolulu Zoo. At each of the 7 curated stops, we will "talk story" at shaded picnic tables. Throughout the walk, your guide will share archival images, bringing to life the changes that have taken place over time to shape modern day Hawaii. As you learn the real history of Hawaii, we hope that you will walk away inspired to uncover and honor the roots of your own lineage.

Categories

  • Culture
  • Outdoors

When

Mondays from 10am-1pm

Things to Know

LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY | EASY The route terrain includes: sand, dirt, grass, sidewalk (cement), and road (asphalt). Because the route crosses through Kapiʻolani Park, which includes dips and bumps, the difficulty may be higher for guests with walkers and​/​or wheelchairs. STOPS ALONG THE WAY Including the beginning location, there are a total of 7 locations along the route. At each stop, guests will relax in shaded areas under trees on open picnic tables. The last two stops do not have picnic tables available. RESTROOMS There are multiple restrooms along the route, including the starting location at Kaimana Beach within the War Natatorium. FOOD & DRINKS Guests are allowed to bring food on the tour, however, there is no dedicated time slot for lunch. Granola bars and a bottled water are available for each guest. PARKING Available parking is a mix of both free and paid stalls. Within Kaimana Beach Park, there are limited free parking spaces. Parking on Kalākaua Avenue outside of the Kaimana Beach Park is a mix of free and metered stalls. The parking stalls across Kapiʻolani Park along Pākī Avenue are all free. Parking at the Waikīkī Shell is free, however, parking at the Honolulu Zoo is paid.

Duration

3 hours

About this Host

Kamaka
Hello, I'm Kamaka.

Kamaka Pili is a Native Hawaiian storyteller​,​ award-winning broadcaster​,​ and entrepreneur whose life's work is rooted in one purpose: keeping Hawaiian culture alive and sharing it with the world. As a fourth-generation native of Kailua​,​ Oʻahu​,​ Kamaka grew up understanding that preservation isn't just important — it's personal. That sense of responsibility shaped everything that followed. Over eight years as a broadcaster with KHON2 News​,​ he wove ancestral knowledge into his reporting​,​ contributing to the broader effort of normalizing the Hawaiian language and culture within Hawaiʻi's broadcast industry. That work earned him an Emmy Award for his role as co-host of the 2024 Molokaʻi Hoe World Championship live broadcast. In 2014​,​ Kamaka co-founded Aloha Authentic​,​ a brand through which he has spent over a decade producing interviews and cultural content that bridge Hawaiian knowledge with diverse audiences. His entrepreneurial spirit extends across several ventures​,​ each one a reflection of his mission. Naʻau Walaʻau Designs (founded 2013) serves as his product company​,​ Native Hawaiian Arts & Culture Expo​,​ LLC (founded 2016) brings communities together through events​,​ and Now and Then Tours Hawaiʻi (founded 2024) offers immersive experiences rooted in place and story. In everything he does​,​ Kamaka is guided by a simple but powerful mission: "Share Aloha with the World."

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Kamaka Pili is a Native Hawaiian storyteller​,​ award-winning broadcaster​,​ and entrepreneur whose life's work is rooted in one purpose: keeping Hawaiian culture alive and sharing it with the world. As a fourth-generation native of Kailua​,​ Oʻahu​,​ Kamaka grew up understanding that preservation isn't just important — it's personal. That sense of responsibility shaped everything that followed. Over eight years as a broadcaster with KHON2 News​,​ he wove ancestral knowledge into his reporting​,​ contributing to the broader effort of normalizing the Hawaiian language and culture within Hawaiʻi's broadcast industry. That work earned him an Emmy Award for his role as co-host of the 2024 Molokaʻi Hoe World Championship live broadcast. In 2014​,​ Kamaka co-founded Aloha Authentic​,​ a brand through which he has spent over a decade producing interviews and cultural content that bridge Hawaiian knowledge with diverse audiences. His entrepreneurial spirit extends across several ventures​,​ each one a reflection of his mission. Naʻau Walaʻau Designs (founded 2013) serves as his product company​,​ Native Hawaiian Arts & Culture Expo​,​ LLC (founded 2016) brings communities together through events​,​ and Now and Then Tours Hawaiʻi (founded 2024) offers immersive experiences rooted in place and story. In everything he does​,​ Kamaka is guided by a simple but powerful mission: "Share Aloha with the World."

Kapiʻolani Park - Walking Tour

Kapiʻolani Park - Walking Tour

$125.00

KamakaKamakaKamaka
$125.00

Location

Locations are approximate. Your Experience Host will send you precise location info after booking.